what to do with used tank?

[1mbrews8]

Ok, so I got a 150g tank, protein skimmer, cannister filter, heaters,etc. It's all used and i got it last night. i'm cleaning the tank now, and saved ~ 90g of the saltwater that was in it. ~70 of rock(nothing on it), sand (~ 90lbs).it had several fish that are doing ok in a container with airator, heater and empty hob filter. how long can the survive? should i reuse the water that was in the tank? what about the sand? rocks ok i imagine. thanks for the help. i am wanting a fish with live rock tank, prefering some coral as well if thats possible with some good lighting. what else do i deffinatly need?
mike

 

[skriz]

Is the sand and rock in the "old" water?

If so and you plan on reusing the sand, then you could use some of that water. I would test it though and make sure it's not totally fubared.

 

[Reefplumber13]

lol or you could give it away too us lol just kidding like he said if its not total crap you can use some off it and you can use the sand and the live rock you just might have to cure it but i dont know

 

[1mbrews8]

i have the sand in plastic tubs, and the water as well. there is no circulation going except in the one with the fish.

 

[Reefplumber13]

you might want to get something in there to move the water

 

[skriz]

well, then you probably have some die off in the rock and sand. You'll want to add circulation asap to save as much life as possible.

You'd probably be better using as little of that water as possible. Mix new water and let it sit and aerate (with a pump).

 

[1mbrews8]

i have like 4 tubs and only 1 filter becides the used one i got and don't really know how to work.

 

[Reefplumber13]

well you will need to go buy some power heads. i got one from walmart and it was only $20 so its not that much. and you will need a few

 

[1mbrews8]

4-5 for a 150g?

 

[1mbrews8]

so should i use all new sand, some of the old, some of the new, just old? same question with the water?

 

[skriz]

go see Sam at http://www.aquabuys.com">www.aquabuys.com</a>

he's close and carries a ton of stuff you can use. Powerheads are a must. I reccomend some maxijets for genreal purpose stuff like mixing salt and such.

Then, for in tank use you may want to consider some tunze nanos; they're small yet powerful, especially when modded!

 

[Reefplumber13]

you can use all the sand. as for the water take a sample to your lfs and get it tested then come back and tell us what the test looked like

 

[1mbrews8]

just went to lfs and got the 55g tap water filled tested and the left over salt water tested

55g fresh was fine except for ammonia levels. i got some tap water conditioner that she recomended and she said add that and salt and it should be ok.
150g left over sw was 0 ammonia, nitrite 0, ph 8.2, nitrate 10.

She also offered to keep the fish until i'm ready to put them in. We are worried that putting the water back in, rock, and sand might cause it to cycle killing the fish.

MY PLAN:
1)put the water from the 55g into more tubs, putting the tap conditioner and mixing the salt in.
2)putting the 150g where i want it, setting up the equipment, and filling it (with the new 55g mixed water, old water, old sand)
3)possibly test it a little after that
4)this weekend get more live rock/sand and put it in
5)see if cycles
6)put fish in using a slow drip method or something.

WORRIES:
1) the old 150g water is greenish. will it look greenish when all is done?
2) old sand or live sand i get from whomever has some strange killer creatures in it
3) cannister filter has killer creatures
4)anything you'd add...

i know all new stuff would be the safest, but i am conservative with $ )

 

[Reefplumber13]

well if the water is like that i would not use it so you might want to mix up 150 gals and you can use what ever sand you want just if you get it from someone ask if it has been in a tank with flow or if it has just been sitting out of water if it has been out of water wash it and put it in the tank and it will be alot easyier if you put all the sand in frist and then water or it will cloud up the water as for the killer stuff you should be fine just take it slow

 

[1mbrews8]

how do i wash the water? are you worried about the new tap water or the older stuff thats been sitting for18 hours?

 

[Reefplumber13]

no i didnt mean the water lol there is no way to do that i ment the sand. sorry and if i were you i would not use the old water if it is green

 

[1mbrews8]

tank is pretty clean. hope to get it in the house tomorrow afternoon. i think i'll wait to put the fish in until i'm sure it's not cycling. i will be getting live rock from a guy this weekend in atl so i'll put that in and see what happens. i've seen pics of live rock fro tampa bay saltwater and others and hope the stuff i get is that good! i'm still stuck on whether to reuse the water thats not moving, use the older tap water that was in the 55g (that has high ammonia and not moving), use the sand thats in water(but not moving), or use the canister filter at all??? what to do...

 

[liverock27]

I would stay away from using tap water at all.

 

[1mbrews8]

i got some tap conditioner at the lfs and she said it would clear up everything including the high ammonia. no??

 

[liverock27]

I wasn't really thinking of the ammonia, but more of the metals and other things that are found in the tap water.